Schatz lending a hand full-time to politics

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - He's lending a hand full-time to politics. Helping Hands Hawaii executive director Brian Schatz said Tuesday he's stepping down to devote his time to run for office. Schatz has led the social services non-profit for eight years. He says it's the best year's of his life.

But for him, the time has come to move on and focus on the lieutenant governor's seat.

Schatz says he's most proud of the thousands upon thousands of dollars of school supplies they hand out every year to needy kids. He says the decision to leave comes after months of discussions with the board of directors.

"Every candidate has to make their own decision about when the appropriate time is to leave, what I wanted to do is give us sufficient amount of notice so that everybody could plan for the transition," Schatz said.

The board is conducting a search for his replacement. Schatz will still lend his hand through that process.

Schatz's last day on the job is May 31st. The board hopes to have someone in place before then.